A helicopter battling the Ferguson Fire below Wawona Road at Yosemite National Park on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Mariposa County, Calif.

A helicopter battling the Ferguson Fire below Wawona Road at Yosemite National Park on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Mariposa County, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

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Half Dome in Yosemite National Park on Aug. 9, 2018: After several smoky days from the Ferguson Fire, the skies are beginning to clear.

Half Dome in Yosemite National Park on Aug. 9, 2018: After several smoky days from the Ferguson Fire, the skies are beginning to clear.

Photo: Yosemite Conservancy

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Yosemite National Park employees began to return to work on Aug. 9, 2018, after the park was closed for firefighting operations.

Yosemite National Park employees began to return to work on Aug. 9, 2018, after the park was closed for firefighting operations.

Photo: Yosemite National Park

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Firefighters from the Big Bear Hotshots create a firebreak as the Ferguson fire approaches in the Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California, on July 21, 2018.

Firefighters from the Big Bear Hotshots create a firebreak as the Ferguson fire approaches in the Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California, on July 21, 2018.

Photo: NOAH BERGER, AFP/Getty Images

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Flames from the Ferguson fire crest a hill in Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Flames from the Ferguson fire crest a hill in Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Photo: Noah Berger / AFP / Getty Images

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Firefighters watch as an air tanker drops retardant while battling the Ferguson fire in the Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Firefighters watch as an air tanker drops retardant while battling the Ferguson fire in the Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Photo: NOAH BERGER, AFP/Getty Images

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A plane battling the Ferguson Fire passes the setting sun in unincorporated Mariposa County Calif., near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018.

A plane battling the Ferguson Fire passes the setting sun in unincorporated Mariposa County Calif., near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018.

Photo: Noah Berger / Associated Press

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Yosemite Valley appears eerie choked in smoke from the Ferguson Fire on July 18, 2018.

Yosemite Valley appears eerie choked in smoke from the Ferguson Fire on July 18, 2018.

Photo: Yosemite National Park

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Firefighters drive along a fire break as the Ferguson fire burns in Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Firefighters drive along a fire break as the Ferguson fire burns in Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Photo: Noah Berger / AFP / Getty Images

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The Ferguson Fire burns along a ridgeline in unincorporated Mariposa County, Calif, on Monday, July 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

The Ferguson Fire burns along a ridgeline in unincorporated Mariposa County, Calif, on Monday, July 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Photo: Noah Berger / Associated Press

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Firefighters construct a firebreak while trying to contain the Ferguson fire in the Stanislaus National Forest, California, on July 22, 2018.

Firefighters construct a firebreak while trying to contain the Ferguson fire in the Stanislaus National Forest, California, on July 22, 2018.

Photo: Noah Berger / AFP / Getty Images

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The Ferguson Fire burns near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018, as seen from El Portal, Calif.

The Ferguson Fire burns near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018, as seen from El Portal, Calif.

Photo: Carrie Anderson, AP

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A dozer operator prepares to create a fire break while battling the Ferguson fire in the Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

A dozer operator prepares to create a fire break while battling the Ferguson fire in the Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Photo: NOAH BERGER, AFP/Getty Images

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Charles Phillips waits for a procession carrying the body of firefighter Braden Varney on Monday, July 16, 2018, in Mariposa, Calif. Varney died Saturday while battling the Ferguson fire when his bulldozer overturned. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) less

Charles Phillips waits for a procession carrying the body of firefighter Braden Varney on Monday, July 16, 2018, in Mariposa, Calif. Varney died Saturday while battling the Ferguson fire when his bulldozer ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, Associated Press

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Residents gather to watch a procession carrying the body of firefighter Braden Varney in Mariposa, Calif., on Monday, July 16, 2018. Varney died Saturday while battling the Ferguson fire when his bulldozer overturned. less

Residents gather to watch a procession carrying the body of firefighter Braden Varney in Mariposa, Calif., on Monday, July 16, 2018. Varney died Saturday while battling the Ferguson fire when his bulldozer ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, AP

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A fire truck, part of a procession carrying the body of firefighter Braden Varney, makes its way along Highway 140 on Monday, July 16, 2018, in Mariposa, Calif. Varney died when his bulldozer overturned as he battled the Ferguson fire. less

A fire truck, part of a procession carrying the body of firefighter Braden Varney, makes its way along Highway 140 on Monday, July 16, 2018, in Mariposa, Calif. Varney died when his bulldozer overturned as he ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, AP

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The Ferguson Fire burns near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018, as seen from El Portal, Calif.

The Ferguson Fire burns near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018, as seen from El Portal, Calif.

Photo: Carrie Anderson / Associated Press

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An air tanker drops retardant while battling the Ferguson fire in Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

An air tanker drops retardant while battling the Ferguson fire in Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite National Park, California on July 21, 2018.

Photo: NOAH BERGER, AFP/Getty Images

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Flames from the Ferguson Fire burn down a hillside in unincorporated Mariposa County Calif., near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018.

Flames from the Ferguson Fire burn down a hillside in unincorporated Mariposa County Calif., near Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018.

Photo: Noah Berger / Associated Press

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The Ferguson Fire, burning in steep, rugged terrain in Sierra National Forest on Sunday, July 16, 2018. It has closed Highway 140 and is threatening a number of structures.

The Ferguson Fire, burning in steep, rugged terrain in Sierra National Forest on Sunday, July 16, 2018. It has closed Highway 140 and is threatening a number of structures.

Photo: Blake Scott, National Park Service

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Inmate firefighters battle the Ferguson fire in Jerseydale, California, on July 22, 2018.

Inmate firefighters battle the Ferguson fire in Jerseydale, California, on July 22, 2018.

Photo: Noah Berger / AFP / Getty Images

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Yosemite to reopen Tuesday, 14 days after blaze choked air

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yosemite National Park will reopen Tuesday, 14 days after a wildfire choked the park with smoke at the peak of tourist season, officials said Friday.

"This is truly a historic and unprecedented event in park history, and we are thrilled to welcome back visitors to Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove," said Michael Reynolds, the park's superintendent.

Visitors should expect limited hours and visitor services as the park returns to normal, spokesman Scott Gediman said. "Park visitors should be aware that there is still active fire and smoke on the roads, and people should drive with extreme caution," he said.

The scenic Yosemite Valley, 350 campsites and all the park hotels have been closed since July 25. Officials also declared a half-dozen other sites off-limits, including the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, Tunnel View (a scenic spot on California Route 41) and Glacier Point Road.

The Mariposa Grove will reopen Monday. But Tunnel View and Glacier Point Road will remain closed as fire crews continue to battle the wildfire.

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Media: Ted Andersen, SFGATE, Getty, NPS

Though the blaze didn't reach the heart of the valley, it burned in remote areas of the park about 250 miles (400 kilometers) from San Francisco, making roads inaccessible and polluting the air with smoke.

The 150-square mile (388-square kilometer) fire that started on July 13 was 80 percent contained Friday.

This week, 200 park workers who live in Yosemite's popular Valley region were allowed to return, and officials lifted most mandatory evacuation orders for nearby communities.

But the park's air remains hazy. Time-lapse video by the Yosemite Conservancy, a group that supports the park, shows smoke enveloping and partly obscuring Half Dome, an iconic rock formation.

It is Yosemite's longest and most extensive closure since 1997, when floods shut the park for two months, officials said

Tourists wanting to visit Yosemite, a crown jewel of the National Park System, have to book nearly a year ahead of time to secure a coveted hotel room inside the park, where hotels and campsites fill up months in advance and are typically booked through October.

The closure has dealt a financial blow to Yosemite and gateway communities like Oakhurst and Mariposa at the height of the summer season and caused upheaval for thousands of tourists whose summer trips were canceled.

Dylan Shull, who manages the Monarch Inn and the Best Western Yosemite in Mariposa, said the two-week closure has hit the town hard

He said his hotels have hosted some of the emergency personnel involved in fighting the blaze, tourists who hadn't heard news of the closure, and visitors who showed up with the hope the park would open.

"June, July and August are the peak season and to see 30 percent occupancy was a huge hit for us," he said.

"We're all very excited. The whole town is looking forward to the reopening and hoping there are no hiccups," Shull added.